The interesting migration history of Chinese Miao

Who are the Miao?

The Miao people are a small minority group who reside mainly in China and southeast Asia. Over the past several thousand years, they have migrated numerous times throughout China, and these journeys are reflected in their unique handmade embroidery, silver jewelry, and batik artwork. Reasons for this movement varied a lot, but wars were the main cause.

The first big migration

Over 5,000 years ago, the Miao resided in the Yellow River and Yangtze River areas of central China. Chi You, a great general, was their leader. It's said that he had a pair of horns sticking out from his copper head, and his forehead was as stout as iron. Chi You created the criminal law in his tribe, which was believed to be the first law in China.

Directed by Chi You, the Miao triumphed over many clans. They were good at making all kinds of weapons, like spears, swords, bows, and arrows.

However in a severe war against another big tribe, Chi you and his people were crushed. He was slain, and his body and head were buried in two sites which are far away from each other. According to Miao epics, the first maple tree came from his blood.

Chi You died, but his soul and story influenced many of his opponents, who painted his picture on their flags to cheer up their soldiers.  Later, he was celebrated as the god of war by the Chinese emperors.

Today the Miao commemorate Chi You by wearing a silver headdress decorated with silver horns. People regard a maple tree as a special totem with great meaning.

After Chi You died, some Miao clans were taken captive and mingled with Han, a leading nationality in China. However most Miao people had to left their hometown for the south areas of China.

Continued movement

Throughout most of Chinese history, the Han nationality has been the most powerful and has generally dominated the whole country. Because the Miao were an ethnic group in Chinese history, so they were constantly harassed by the Han rulers. Because of numerous wars and years of persecution, the Miao were forced to constantly move throughout China.

The Miao people started to reside in the mountainous areas of southern and southwestern China as early as 2,000 years ago. 

Then just over 700 years ago, some Miao people moved to the countries of southeast Asia, like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. After the Vietnam War was finished in the 1970's, some Miao people became homeless and had to run to America, Europe and Australia. Now about 280,000 Miao residents dwell in western countries.

Today

Despite widespread migration, the Miao have kept their unique culture and tradition alive to this day.

Because they don't have a written language, they remember their history in a unique way---- put them onto their embroidery work. If you look at their embroidery in detail, you will see each piece of embroidery means something that closely relates to their culture, history, and belief.

C. Liu has been studying interesting Miao culture for a few years. From time to time she supports the work of some Miao artisans. Go to her website to learn more about Miao culture and see fine Miao silver jewelry here.